Tigers likely to stay on top of AL Central

The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera battled injuries down the stretch last season, but still was the AL MVP.

The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera battled injuries down the stretch last...

Predicted order of finish:

DETROIT TIGERS

2013 record: 93-69 (first, lost to Boston in ALCS)

Manager: Brad Ausmus

Rundown: The Tigers have reached the AL championship series three straight years, but a World Series title has remained elusive since 1984.

New manager Ausmus takes over a team that made a couple significant changes in the offseason, trading Prince Fielder and right-hander Doug Fister. Even without Fister, Detroit may have the AL's best rotation — assuming ace Justin Verlander comes back strong after having core muscle surgery in January.

Miguel Cabrera hopes to be healthier than last year, when he was hobbled down the stretch but still won MVP honors for the second straight year. Max Scherzer gave Detroit two major award winners by winning the Cy Young.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

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Schedule

Wednesday: NL Central

Thursday: AL East

Friday: NL East

Saturday: AL West

Sunday: NL West

Key dates

Sunday: Opening night — Dodgers @Padres, 7 p.m., ESPN

Monday: Opening day — Phillies @Rangers, 1:05 p.m., FSNSW

Tuesday: Yankees @Astros, 6:10 p.m.

2013 record: 86-76 (third)

Manager: Ned Yost

Rundown: Kansas City's big move before last season — trading eventual Rookie of the Year Wil Myers for James Shields — did not help the Royals reach the playoffs, but their 86-76 record was their best since 1989.

The Royals acquired outfielder Norichika Aoki and second baseman Omar Infante this offseason, but Ervin Santana's departure could be costly. Kansas City signed left-hander Jason Vargas (career ERA of 4.30) in November.

Rundown: Cleveland rolled to 92 wins in 2013 in its first season under Francona. The Indians made the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and finished only a game behind Detroit. The pitching could determine whether Cleveland makes a return appearance in the postseason. Ubaldo Jimenez left via free agency, and John Axford replaces closer Chris

Perez.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2013 record: 63-99 (fifth)

Manager: Robin Ventura

Rundown: Even a brilliant season by left-hander Chris Sale wasn't enough to prevent 99 losses for the White Sox. Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton were brought in to boost the offense, and Adam Dunn is still around as a home run threat.

Chicago won 85 games in 2012 and nearly took the division, so the White Sox probably aren't as bad as last year's record suggests. But they have a lot of ground to make up if they want to contend again.

MINNESOTA TWINS

2013 record: 66-96 (fourth)

Manager: Ron Gardenhire

Rundown: Once the AL Central's model franchise, the Twins have lost at least 96 games for three straight seasons. Joe Mauer's move to first base could keep his bat in the lineup more often, but the starting rotation has been unreliable for a while.

Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes signed as free agents in Minnesota's latest attempt to improve its pitching staff.